Multidirectional sequential valve and cleaning fluid spray system

Abstract

A multidirectional sequential valve (1) for a vehicle cleaning fluid spraying system (100), comprising a tubular body (2), a distributor (3) having at least a first and a second outlet (9, 10), a tube (4) passing through a bottom (8) of the tubular body (2) and opening into the distributor (3), a piston (5) movable in translation within the tubular body (2) along the tube (4), the piston (5) being actuated by the pressure force of the cleaning fluid exerted on the piston (5) against an elastic return force of the piston (5), a first cam (16) cooperating with the piston (5) to guide the movement of the tube (4). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Multidirectional sequential valve and cleaning fluid projection system Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of automotive vehicle cleaning fluid projection systems and in particular to multidirectional sequential valves used in these systems. Technical background

[0002] The cleaning fluid projection system makes it possible to keep the vehicle's windshield or the windows of optical devices, such as sensors, clean.

[0003] These systems generally include a cleaning fluid reservoir, a pump and at least one valve configured to allow or block the passage of cleaning fluid to the various spraying devices.

[0004] Some systems require the use of multidirectional valves, i.e., valves comprising a fluid inlet and at least two outlet ports, the valve being able to open towards either of the outlet ports. Furthermore, in certain cleaning applications, it may be necessary for the multidirectional valve to be sequential, i.e., the outlet ports to be able to be opened alternately, one after the other.

[0005] It is possible to implement a multidirectional valve using several solenoid valves controlled to allow or prevent the cleaning fluid from flowing to one or the other of the outlet ports. However, the solenoid valves require electrical wiring, consume electricity, and are relatively heavy. Furthermore, the architecture can quickly become complex.

[0006] A multidirectional valve is known in which a pressure differential of the cleaning fluid upstream / downstream of the valve allows the outlet path to be selected according to the setting of a valve flap.

[0007] This solution is interesting but is not flexible enough to be able to operate under all conditions, particularly in the case of fluid projection systems for glass surfaces of sensors.

[0008] Indeed, depending on the hydraulic architecture of the system and / or the cleaning sequences, the inlet pressures can vary greatly so that the pressure variations enabling the switching of the outlet channel may not always be able to be achieved.

[0009] Indeed, it is complex to implement different cleaning strategies based on different working pressures because this involves multiplying the thresholds of pressure to increase the number of possible switches. These pressure thresholds may also depend on conditions external to the vehicle, such as temperature, which can vary the viscosity of the cleaning fluid or the stiffness of the springs, so that the device may not function when the vehicle is used in extreme conditions. Summary of the invention

[0010] One object of the present invention is to propose an improved multidirectional sequential valve compared to that of the prior art.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a multidirectional sequential valve for a vehicle cleaning fluid spray system, characterized in that the multidirectional sequential valve comprises: - a tubular body with an inlet, - a distributor fixed to the tubular body, comprising at least one first outlet and one second outlet, - a tube having at least one inlet orifice communicating fluidly with the interior of the tubular body, passing through a bottom of the tubular body and having an outlet orifice opening into the distributor, - a piston that moves in translation within the tubular body along the tube, the piston being actuated by the pressure force of the cleaning fluid exerted on the piston against an elastic return force of the piston, - a first cam cooperating with the piston to guide the movement of the tube between a first opening position in which at least one outlet orifice of the tube is in fluidic communication with the first outlet channel, and a second opening position in which at least one outlet orifice is in fluidic communication with the second outlet channel, the tube taking turns in the first opening position and the second opening position due to a drop in the pressure of the inlet cleaning fluid below a threshold, followed by an increase in the pressure of the inlet cleaning fluid above said threshold.

[0012] The multidirectional sequential valve thus allows for the sequential control of cleaning fluid spraying in the first and second outlet ports alternately, without electrical wiring or a power supply, in a simple manner and with a lightweight valve. The multidirectional sequential valve is not dependent on multiple pressure thresholds and is relatively insensitive to temperature variations. Furthermore, it is possible to simply adapt the shape of certain elements of the multidirectional sequential valve to increase the number of outlet ports.

[0013] The multidirectional sequential valve includes an elastic element that forces the piston in a direction opposite to the direction of the cleaning fluid thrust exerted by the pressure force.

[0014] The multidirectional sequential valve may further include one or more of the features described below, taken alone or in combination.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the piston is also rotationally mobile in the tubular body, the piston being rotationally fixed to the tube.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the tube and the piston have at least one guide rail and one complementary groove, one carried by the tube and the other by the piston, to secure the rotating piston to the tube while allowing the piston to translate along the tube.

[0017] According to one embodiment, said multidirectional sequential valve has a second cam, said cams being carried by the tubular body, arranged opposite each other, the piston being positioned alternately against the first cam and against the second cam.

[0018] The first cam is for example located on the side of the inlet of the tubular body and the second cam is located on the side of the bottom of the tubular body.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the outlet orifice of the tube is obstructed when the piston is elastically stressed against the first cam.

[0020] Thus, for example, the tube can successively take a first closed position in which the outlet orifice is closed, the piston being positioned against the first cam, a first open position after translation and rotation of the piston, the piston being positioned against the second cam, a second closed position in which the outlet orifice is obstructed, the piston having translated and pivoted to be positioned against the first cam, and a second open position after translation and rotation of the piston, the piston being positioned against the second cam.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the cam profiles have regularly distributed sawtooth ramps on the periphery cooperating with complementary ramps of the piston.

[0022] The cam profiles have for example four saw teeth to rotate the tube by one-eighth of a turn or three saw teeth to rotate the tube by one-sixth of a turn or two saw teeth to rotate the tube by one-quarter of a turn between successive positions.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the tube has two outlet orifices formed in lateral faces opposite the tube to allow one outlet orifice to be in fluidic communication with the first outlet channel for two opposite angular positions of the tube and in fluidic communication with the second exit route or in closed position for two other opposite angular positions of the tube.

[0024] According to another embodiment, the tube has a single outlet orifice.

[0025] The distributor may have a third outlet. Thus, the piston can successively take a third closing position in which the outlet orifice is closed, the piston being positioned against the first cam and a third opening position in which the outlet orifice is in fluidic communication with the third outlet channel, the piston having translated and pivoted to be positioned against the second cam.

[0026] The distributor may include a fourth outlet. Thus, the piston may successively take a fourth closed position in which the outlet orifice is closed, the piston having translated and pivoted to be positioned against the first cam and a fourth open position in which the outlet orifice is in fluidic communication with a fourth outlet, the piston having translated and pivoted to be positioned against the second cam.

[0027] According to another embodiment, one of the piston or tubular body has an indexing finger, the first cam being provided in the other, the indexing finger cooperating with the first cam, the first cam having two longitudinal portions and two helical portions, the longitudinal portions being diametrically opposed and the helical portions being secant in their middle and joining the longitudinal portions at their ends.

[0028] The tube has, for example, a single outlet orifice.

[0029] In this embodiment, the rotation of the piston takes place at the end of the watering when the pressure is released, which allows watering to begin as soon as the multidirectional sequential valve is pressurized.

[0030] According to another embodiment, one of the piston or tube has an indexing finger, the first cam being provided in the other, the indexing finger cooperating with the first cam, the first cam having sawtooth ramps regularly distributed on the periphery.

[0031] The tube has, for example, a single outlet orifice.

[0032] The cam profile of the first cam has, for example, four saw teeth to rotate the tube by one-eighth of a turn or three saw teeth to rotate the tube by one-sixth of a turn or two saw teeth to rotate the tube by one-quarter of a turn between successive positions.

[0033] The invention also relates to a vehicle cleaning fluid spraying system comprising a reservoir, a pump, and at least two spraying devices, characterized in that it includes at least one multidirectional sequential valve as described above, for controlling the distribution of a fluid cleaning towards at least two projection devices.

[0034] For example, the first output channel is intended to supply a first ramp of a wiper blade to spray one side of said blade and the second output channel is intended to supply a second ramp of the wiper blade to spray the other side of said blade.

[0035] According to another example, the cleaning fluid projection system may include between three and ten projection devices and a multidirectional sequential valve whose distributor has at least two outlets or as many outlets as there are projection devices, to control the distribution of a cleaning fluid to the projection devices of optical sensors of the vehicle.

[0036] For example, the distributor has as many output channels as there are optical sensors, one output channel being intended to spray the glass surface of a respective optical sensor.

[0037] According to another example, the distributor has fewer output channels than optical sensors, one output channel being intended to spray the glass surface of several optical sensors.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the projection system comprises at least two multidirectional sequential valves and as many solenoid valves, one solenoid valve being arranged upstream of a respective multidirectional sequential valve in the direction of flow of the cleaning fluid. Brief description of the figures

[0039] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0040] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 represents an example of a vehicle projection system tomobile.

[0041] [Fig.2] Fig.2 shows a perspective view of a multidi sequential valve rectional of the projection system of the [Fig.1].

[0042] [Fig.3] Fig.3 shows a cross-sectional view of the multidirectional sequential valve tional of the [Fig.2].

[0043] [Fig.4] Fig.4 shows a perspective view of a tube and piston of the valve multidirectional sequential of the [Fig.2].

[0044] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] shows a perspective view of the piston of the [Fig.4].

[0045] [Fig.6A], [Fig.6B], [Fig.6C], [Fig.6D], [Fig.6E], [Fig.6F], [Fig.6G], [Fig.6H], [Fig.61], [Fig.6J], [Fig.6K], [Fig.6L], [Fig.6M], [Fig.6N], [Fig.60] Figures 6A to 60 show the multidirectional sequential valve of [Fig.1] for successive positions taken by the piston and tube in operation.

[0046] [Fig.7A], [Fig.7B], [Fig.7C] Figures 7A to 7C show successive positions taken by the valve tube in the distributor shown in transparency.

[0047] [Fig.8A], [Fig.8B], [Fig.8C], [Fig.8D] Figures 8A to 8D are diagrams illustrating successive positions taken by the valve tube in the distributor for another example of implementation.

[0048] [Fig.9A], [Fig.9B], [Fig.9C], [Fig.9D], [Fig.9E], [Fig.9F], [Fig.9G], [Fig.9H] The Figures 9A to 9H are diagrams illustrating successive positions taken by the valve tube in the distributor for another embodiment.

[0049] [Fig. 10] The [Fig. 10] is a diagram similar to the [Fig.9A], illustrating another example of an embodiment.

[0050] [Fig.llA], [Fig.llB], [Fig.llC], [Fig.llD], [Fig.llE], [Fig.llF], [Fig.llG] Figures 1 IA to 1 IG show successive positions of the tube and piston of a multidirectional sequential valve for another embodiment with the tubular body shown in transparency.

[0051] [Fig.12A], [Fig.12B], [Fig.12C], [Fig.12D] Figures 12A to 12D show successive positions of the tube and piston of a multidirectional sequential valve seen in cross-section for another embodiment.

[0052] [Fig. 13] The [Fig. 13] represents another projection system.

[0053] In these figures, identical elements bear the same reference numbers. Detailed description

[0054] The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments can also be combined and / or interchanged to provide other embodiments, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0055] Fig. 1 shows a 100 fluid cleaning projection system for motor vehicles.

[0056] The spraying system 100 includes a reservoir 101 for holding a reserve of cleaning fluid such as a liquid like water or a mixture of water and antifreeze, at least two spraying devices 102 configured to spray a cleaning fluid, for example on the windshield of the vehicle or on glass surfaces of optical elements of sensors of said vehicle, a multidirectional sequential valve 1 for controlling the distribution of the cleaning fluid to the at least two spraying devices 102 and a pump 103 for conveying the cleaning fluid from the reservoir 101 to the valve 1 and then to the spraying devices 102.

[0057] Valve 1 is multidirectional because it can allow the passage of the cleaning fluid to different projection devices 102. Valve 1 is said to be sequential because it can allow, in turn, the passage of the cleaning fluid to the different projection devices 102. Valve 1 is said to be passive because it does not require an electrical power supply or electronic control.

[0058] A first example of a multidirectional sequential valve 1 is shown in [Fig.2],

[0059] The multidirectional sequential valve 1 comprises a tubular body 2, a distributor 3, a tube 4 and a piston 5 movable in translation in the tubular body 2 along the tube 4.

[0060] The tubular body 2 extends in an axial direction and fits, for example, into a cylinder. It has an inlet 6, for example at a first axial end of the tubular body 2.

[0061] The inlet 6 includes, for example, an inlet cannula intended to be fluidly connected to a flexible inlet pipe, itself fluidly connected, for example, to the pump 103 and the reservoir 101 of the projection system 100.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the tubular body 2 has an inlet cover 7 closing the first axial end. As can be seen more clearly in the cross-sectional view of [Fig. 3], the inlet cover 7 is traversed by the inlet cannula so as to allow the cleaning fluid to enter the tubular body 2.

[0063] The distributor 3 is fixed to the tubular body 2, for example to a bottom 8 of the second axial end of the tubular body 2.

[0064] The distributor 3 has at least one first outlet 9 and a second outlet 10. The first outlet 9 and the second outlet 10 have, for example, a respective outlet nozzle, intended to be inserted into a respective flexible outlet pipe connected to a respective cleaning fluid projection device 102 such as a wiper brush ramp or a nozzle of the projection system 100.

[0065] The tube 4 is mobile in rotation in the tubular body 2, around the axis of the tube 4.

[0066] A first axial end of the tube 4 is received in the inlet cover 7 in which can pivot around its axis. The inlet cover 7 can also be used to close the first axial end of the tube 4 if it is open by manufacturing.

[0067] The tube 4 passes through the bottom 8 of the tubular body 2, at its center, the bottom 8 of the tubular body 2 forming a smooth bearing for the tube 4.

[0068] The second axial end of the tube 4 has, for example, an axis 12 in pivot connection in the distributor 3 assembled at the bottom 11 of the tubular body 2 to facilitate the rotation of the tube 4.

[0069] The tube 4 may also have a disk 13, one face of which has a shape complementary to the bottom 8 of the tubular body 2 and whose external diameter corresponds to the internal diameter of a housing of the distributor 3. The disc 13 allows to guide the axial positioning of the tube 4 in the tubular body 2 in addition to the plain bearings formed in the bottom 8 of the tubular body 2, in the inlet cover 7 and in the bottom of the distributor 3.

[0070] The tube 4 has at least one inlet orifice 14 communicating fluidly with the interior of the tubular body 2 and therefore with the cleaning fluid entering through the inlet 6 of the valve 1.

[0071] According to an embodiment more clearly visible in [Fig.4], at least one inlet orifice 14 of the tube 4 is provided on one side of the tube 4, for example in the middle of the tube 4. There are for example two to four inlet orifices 14, here three, made in the periphery of the tube 4, so as to allow a wide entry of cleaning liquid into the tube 4.

[0072] The tube 4 has an outlet orifice 15 opening into the distributor 3.

[0073] The outlet orifice 15 is, for example, provided on one side of the tube 4, for example at the level of the second axial end of tube 4.

[0074] Depending on the angular orientation of the tube 4 relative to the tubular body 2 and the distributor 3, the outlet orifice 15 can be either obstructed by the plain bearing of the distributor 3, or in fluidic communication with the first outlet 9, or in fluidic communication with the second outlet 10 of the distributor 3.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the outlet cannulas of the first and second outlet channels 9, 10 are diametrically opposed outside the distributor 3. The first outlet channel 9 includes, for example, a comma-shaped channel opening into a bearing of the tube 4 and which can be made to communicate fluidically with the outlet port 15 of the tube 4. The second outlet channel 10 includes, for example, a radial channel connecting the other outlet cannula to the smooth bearing of the tube 4 and which can be made to communicate with the outlet port 15 ([Fig.7A]).

[0076] For example, there are two outlet ports 15 provided in lateral faces opposite the tube 4, so as to allow an outlet port 15 to be in fluidic communication with the first outlet channel 9 for two opposite angular positions of the tube 4 and in fluidic communication with the second outlet channel 10 for two other opposite angular positions of the tube 4 ([Fig.4]).

[0077] The multidirectional sequential valve 1 further comprises a first cam 16 and here a second cam 17, cooperating with the piston 5 to guide the movement of the tube 4.

[0078] In this example, the first and second cams 16, 17 are carried by the tubular body 2 and arranged opposite (axially) each other ([Fig.2]). The piston 5 is positioned alternately against the first cam 16 and against the second cam 17.

[0079] The first cam 16 is for example located on the side of the inlet 6 of the tubular body 2 and the second cam 17 is located on the side of the bottom 8 of the tubular body 2.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the first cam 16 is made by the peripheral end of a cylinder carried by the inlet cover 7 of the tubular body 2.

[0081] According to an example of an embodiment visible in particular in [Fig.3], the second cam 17 is made in the bottom 8 of the tubular body 2.

[0082] According to an example of an embodiment shown in [Fig.5], the piston 5 has a crown shape, coaxial with the tubular body 2, whose external diameter corresponds to the internal diameter of the tubular body 2 and whose internal diameter corresponds to the external diameter of the tube 4. The piston 5 may include a circular sealing gasket, for example, formed in the periphery of the crown.

[0083] The tube 4, the tubular body 2 and the piston 5 are coaxial.

[0084] In this example, the piston 5 is also free to rotate within the body tubular 2, the piston 5 being rotationally fixed to the tube 4.

[0085] The tube 4 and the piston 5 may have at least one guide rail 19 and one complementary groove 20, one carried by the tube 4 and the other by the piston 5, to secure the rotating piston 5 to the tube 4 while allowing the translation of the piston 5 along the tube 4. In the illustrative example, the tube 4 has three guide rails 19 and the ring has three complementary grooves 20 (figures 4 and 5).

[0086] In this embodiment, the piston 5 has on one side a cam profile cooperating with the first cam 16 and on the opposite side (axially) a cam profile cooperating with the second cam 17.

[0087] The piston 5 is mobile in translation and rotation in the tubular body 2, the piston 5 being actuated by the pressure force of the cleaning fluid exerted on the piston 5 against an elastic return of the piston 5.

[0088] The multidirectional sequential valve 1 has for this purpose an elastic element 21, such as a spring, which forces the piston 5 against the first cam 16. The elastic element 21 is for example interposed between the piston 5 and the bottom 8 of the tubular body 2.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the outlet orifice 15 of the tube 4 is obstructed when the piston 5 is elastically stressed against the first cam 16.

[0090] The profiles of the first cam 16 and the second cam 17 have, for example, sawtooth ramps, i.e. ascending and descending, regularly distributed on the periphery and cooperating with complementary ramps of the piston 5. The ramps can be substantially convex.

[0091] The profiles of the first cam 16, the second cam 17 and the piston 5 have, for example, four saw teeth on the periphery, to rotate the piston 5 by one-eighth of a turn between the successive opening and closing positions.

[0092] The cams 16, 17 cooperate with the piston 5 to guide the movement of the tube 4 here between a first closed position, a first open position, a second closed position and a second open position, the tube 4 taking turns in the first and second open positions, due to a drop in the pressure of the cleaning fluid at the inlet 6 below a threshold, followed by an increase in the pressure of the cleaning fluid at the inlet 6 above said threshold.

[0093] An example of the operation of the multidirectional sequential valve 1 according to the first embodiment is illustrated in Figures 6A to 60.

[0094] In the first closed position ([Fig. 6A]), the tube 4 is in a first angular position in which the outlet ports 15 are obstructed by the distributor body 3. The piston 5 is positioned against the first cam 16 due to the force exerted by the elastic element 21. The cleaning fluid pressure at the inlet 6 is below a threshold, either because there is no injection of cleaning fluid at the inlet 6, or because the cleaning fluid pressure at the inlet is too low. The multidirectional sequential valve 1 is therefore closed in a first closed position.

[0095] Then, when the inlet pipe is supplied with cleaning fluid, i.e. the pressure of the cleaning fluid at the inlet 6 becomes greater than or equal to the threshold, then the piston 5 is pushed by the pressure of the cleaning fluid towards the second cam 17. The guide rails 19 and the complementary grooves 20 guide the translation of the piston 5. When the piston 5 comes into contact with the second cam 17, the cam profiles of the piston 5 and the second cam 17 cause the piston 5 and the tube 4 to pivot, simultaneously with the translation of the tube 4, here by one-eighth of a turn, until the piston 5 is positioned against the second cam 17 (Figures 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E).

[0096] In the first open position after translation and rotation of the piston 5, the piston 5 is positioned against the second cam 17. The tube 4 then has a second angular position, in which an outlet 15 is in fluidic communication with the first outlet 9 ([Fig. 6E]). The multidirectional sequential valve 1 is therefore open in a first open position with the cleaning fluid flowing through the first outlet 9 for spraying ([Fig. 7C]).

[0097] Then, when the pressure of the inlet cleaning fluid 6 falls below the threshold ([Fig. 6F]), for example due to the cessation of cleaning fluid injection, the elastic element 21 forces the piston 5 towards the first cam 16. The guide rails 19 and the complementary grooves 20 guide the translation of the piston 5, and then, when the piston 5 comes into contact with the first cam 16, the cam profiles of the piston 5 and the first cam 16 cause the piston 5 and therefore the tube 4 to pivot, simultaneously with the translation of the tube 4, here by one-eighth of a turn, until the piston 5 is against the first cam 16 due to the stress on the elastic element 21 (figures 6F, 6G, 6H, 61).

[0098] In the second closed position, the tube 4 has a third angular position in which the outlet ports 15 are obstructed by the body of the distributor 3 (Figures 61 and 7B), the piston 5 having translated and pivoted to be positioned against the first cam 16. The multidirectional sequential valve 1 is therefore closed in a second closed position.

[0099] Then, when the inlet pipe is pressurized, i.e. the pressure of the cleaning fluid at the inlet 6 is greater than or equal to the threshold, then the piston 5 is pushed by the pressure of the cleaning fluid towards the second cam 17. The guide rails 19 and the complementary grooves 20 guide the translation of the piston 5, then when the piston 5 comes into contact with the second cam 17, the cam profiles of the piston 5 and the second cam 17 cause the piston 5 and the tube 4 to pivot, simultaneously with the translation of the tube 4, here by one-eighth of a turn, until the piston 5 is positioned against the second cam 17 (Figures 6J, 6K, 6L, 6M, 6N).

[0100] In the second open position, the tube 4 has a fourth angular position for which the outlet orifice 15 is in fluidic communication with the second outlet 10 (Figures 6N and 7A), the piston 5 having translated and pivoted to be positioned against the second cam 17. The multidirectional sequential valve 1 is therefore open in a second open position with the cleaning fluid flowing through the second outlet 10 for spraying.

[0101] Then, when the pressure of the cleaning fluid falls below the threshold, ( [Fig. 60]), for example due to the cessation of injection of the cleaning fluid, the elastic element 21 forces the piston 5 towards the first cam 16. The guide rails 19 and the complementary grooves 20 guide the translation of the piston 5, then when the piston 5 comes into contact with the first cam 16, the cam profile causes the piston 5 and therefore the tube 4 to pivot, simultaneously with the translation of the tube 4, here by one-eighth of a turn, until the piston 5 is against the first cam 16 due to the force exerted by the elastic element 21.

[0102] The tube 4 then has a fifth angular position. Because there are two opposite outlet ports 15 in the second axial end of the tube 4, this fifth angular position is equivalent to the first angular position in which the outlet ports 15 are obstructed by the body of the distributor 3 ([Fig. 6A]). The multidirectional sequential valve 1 is therefore closed in a first closed position, and the successive sequences can be repeated.

[0103] The multidirectional sequential valve 1 thus enables the sequential control of cleaning fluid spraying into the outlet ports 9, 10 in turn, without electrical wiring or power supply, in a simple manner and with a lightweight valve. The valve 1 is not dependent on multiple pressure thresholds and is relatively insensitive to temperature variations. Furthermore, it is possible to simply adapt the distributor 3 and the profile of the cams 16, 17 and the piston 5 to increase the number of outlet ports of the valve 1.

[0104] The cleaning fluid projection system 100 may include two projection devices 102 and a multidirectional sequential valve 1 whose distributor 3 has two outlets 9, 10 to control the distribution of a cleaning fluid to the projection devices 102.

[0105] For example, the first output channel 9 is intended to supply a first ramp of a wiper blade to spray one side of the blade and the second output channel 10 is intended to supply a second ramp of the blade to spray the other side of the blade.

[0106] According to another example, the cleaning fluid spraying system 100 can include between three and ten spraying devices 102 and a multidirectional sequential valve 1 whose distributor 3 has at least two outlets 9, 10 or as many outlets 9, 10 for controlling the distribution of a cleaning fluid to the spraying devices 102 of the vehicle's optical sensors.

[0107] For example, the distributor 3 has as many output channels as there are optical sensors, one output channel being intended to spray the glass surface of a respective optical sensor.

[0108] According to another example, the distributor 3 has fewer output channels 9, 10 than optical sensors, one output channel being intended to spray the glazed surface of several optical sensors.

[0109] Figures 8A to 8D are schematic views illustrating the operation of another example embodiment.

[0110] In this example, the outlet cannulas of the distributor 3 are offset by an angle of 45° whose apex is the axis of the tube 4.

[0111] The first outlet 9 includes, for example, a radial channel opening into a bearing of the tube 4 and which can be made to communicate fluidically with the outlet port 15 of the tube 4. The second outlet 10 includes, for example, a radial channel connecting the other outlet cannula to the smooth bearing of the tube 4 and which can be made to communicate with the outlet port 15.

[0112] For example, there are two outlet ports 15 provided in lateral faces opposite the tube 4, so as to allow one outlet port 15 to be in fluidic communication with the first outlet channel 9 for two opposite angular positions of the tube 4 and in fluidic communication with the second outlet channel 10 for two other opposite angular positions of tube 4.

[0113] In the first closed position ([Fig. 8A]), the cleaning fluid pressure at the inlet 6 is below a threshold. The tube 4 is in a first angular position in which the outlet ports 15 are obstructed by the distributor body 3. The multidirectional sequential valve 1 is therefore closed in a first closed position.

[0114] Then, when the inlet pipe is pressurized, the tube 4 pivots by one-eighth of a turn and thus presents a second angular position in which an outlet orifice 15 is in fluidic communication with the first outlet 9 ([Fig. 8B]). The multidirectional sequential valve 1 is therefore opened in a first open position with the cleaning fluid flowing through the first outlet 9 for spraying.

[0115] Then, when the cleaning fluid pressure falls below the threshold, the tube 4 pivots one-eighth of a turn into a third angular position in which the outlet ports 15 are obstructed by the body of the distributor 3 ([Fig. 8C]). The multidirectional sequential valve 1 is thus closed in a second closed position.

[0116] Then, when the pressure of the cleaning fluid at the inlet 6 is greater than or equal to the threshold, the tube 4 pivots one-eighth of a turn into a fourth angular position in which the outlet orifice 15 is in fluidic communication with the second outlet 10 (Figures 8D). The multidirectional sequential valve 1 is thus opened into a second open position, with the cleaning fluid flowing through the second outlet 10 for spraying.

[0117] Then, when the cleaning fluid pressure falls below the threshold, the tube 4 pivots one-eighth of a turn into a fifth angular position. Because there are two opposite outlet ports 15 in the second axial end of the tube 4, this fifth angular position is equivalent to the first angular position in which the outlet ports 15 are obstructed by the body of the distributor 3 ([Fig. 8A]). The multidirectional sequential valve 1 is thus closed in a first closed position, and the successive sequences can be repeated.

[0118] The other features of this example embodiment are similar to those of the first example embodiment.

[0119] Figures 9A to 9H are schematic operating views of another example embodiment.

[0120] In this example, the tube 4 has a single outlet orifice 15, the distributor 3 having a third and a fourth outlet 22, 23, the piston 5 being able to assume a third closed position, a third open position, a fourth closing position and a fourth opening position.

[0121] In the first closed position ([Fig. 9A]), the cleaning fluid pressure at inlet 6 is below a threshold. The tube 4 is in a first angular position in which the outlet orifice 15 is obstructed by the body of the distributor 3. The multidirectional sequential valve 1 is therefore closed in a first closed position.

[0122] Then, when the inlet pipe is pressurized, the tube 4 pivots by one-eighth of a turn and thus presents a second angular position in which the outlet orifice 15 is in fluidic communication with the first outlet 9 ([Fig. 9B]). The multidirectional sequential valve 1 is therefore opened in a first open position with the cleaning fluid flowing through the first outlet 9 for spraying.

[0123] Then, when the cleaning fluid pressure falls below the threshold, the tube 4 pivots one-eighth of a turn into a third angular position in which the outlet orifice 15 is obstructed by the body of the distributor 3 ([Fig. 9C]). The multidirectional sequential valve 1 is thus closed in a second closed position.

[0124] Then, when the pressure of the cleaning fluid at the inlet 6 is greater than or equal to the threshold, the tube 4 pivots one-eighth of a turn into a fourth angular position in which the outlet orifice 15 is in fluidic communication with the second outlet 10 ([Fig. 9D]). The multidirectional sequential valve 1 is thus opened into a second open position, with the cleaning fluid flowing through the second outlet 10 for spraying.

[0125] Then, when the cleaning fluid pressure falls below the threshold, the tube 4 pivots one-eighth of a turn into a fifth angular position in which the outlet orifice 15 is obstructed by the body of the distributor 3 ([Fig. 9E]). The multidirectional sequential valve 1 is thus closed in a third closed position, with the piston 5 positioned against the first cam 16.

[0126] Then, when the cleaning fluid pressure at inlet 6 is greater than or equal to the threshold, the tube 4 pivots one-eighth of a turn into a fifth angular position in which the outlet orifice 15 is in fluidic communication with the third outlet 22 ([Fig. 9F]). The multidirectional sequential valve 1 is thus opened into a third open position, the piston 5 having translated and pivoted to be positioned against the second cam 17.

[0127] Then, when the pressure of the cleaning fluid falls below the threshold, the tube 4 pivots one-eighth of a turn into a sixth angular position for which the outlet orifice 15 is obstructed by the body of the distributor 3 ([Fig.9G]), the piston 5 having translated and pivoted to be positioned against the first cam 16.

[0128] Then, when the pressure of the cleaning fluid at the inlet 6 is greater than or equal to the threshold, the tube 4 pivots one-eighth of a turn into a seventh angular position in which the outlet orifice 15 is in fluidic communication with the fourth outlet 23 ([Fig. 9H]). The multidirectional sequential valve 1 is thus open into a fourth open position, the piston 5 having translated and pivoted to be positioned against the second cam 17.

[0129] Then, when the cleaning fluid pressure falls below the threshold, the tube 4 pivots one-eighth of a turn into the first angular position in which the outlet orifice 15 is obstructed by the body of the distributor 3 ([Fig. 9A]). The multidirectional sequential valve 1 is thus closed in a first closed position, and the successive sequences can be repeated.

[0130] The other features of this embodiment example are similar to those of the first embodiment examples.

[0131] Fig. 10 is a schematic view of operation of another example embodiment.

[0132] In this example, the cam profiles have three saw teeth to rotate the piston 5 by one-sixth of a turn between successive opening and closing positions.

[0133] The tube 4 has a single outlet orifice 15, the distributor 3 having a first, a second and a third outlet 9, 10, 22.

[0134] The cams 16, 17 cooperate with the piston 5 to guide the movement of the tube 4 here between a first closed position, a first open position, for which the outlet orifice 15 is in fluidic communication with the first outlet 9, a second closed position, a second open position for which the outlet orifice 15 is in fluidic communication with the second outlet 10, a third closed position and a third open position for which the outlet orifice 15 is in fluidic communication with the third outlet 22. In the closed positions, the outlet orifice 15 is obstructed by the body of the distributor 3.

[0135] The piston 5 takes the open positions in turn due to drops in the pressure of the cleaning fluid at the inlet 6 below a threshold, followed by increases in the pressure of the cleaning fluid at the inlet 6 above said threshold.

[0136] It is therefore possible to provide a multidirectional sequential valve 1 with an odd number of outlet ports.

[0137] The other features of this embodiment example are similar to those of the first embodiment examples.

[0138] Figures 1 IA to 1 IG are schematic views of another exemplary embodiment, in particular the cooperation mechanism of piston 5 and tube 4.

[0139] In this embodiment, the tube 4 has a single outlet orifice 15, the distributor 3 having a first and a second outlet 9, 10.

[0140] The piston 5 has an indexing finger 24 cooperating with the single first cam 16 provided in the tubular body 2. This first cam 16 has two longitudinal portions and two helical portions, the longitudinal portions being diametrically opposed and the helical portions being intersecting in their middle and joining the longitudinal portions at their ends.

[0141] When a pressure force exerted by the fluid greater than or equal to a threshold is exerted and then released, the elastic return and the first cam 16 guide the movement of the piston 5 into a first open position for which the outlet orifice 15 of the tube 4 is in fluidic communication with the first outlet channel 9 ( [Fig.llE]).

[0142] When a successive pressure force exerted by the fluid greater than or equal to the threshold is exerted and then released, the elastic return and the first cam 16 guide the piston 5 movement into a second open position in which the outlet orifice 15 is in fluidic communication with a second outlet path 10 ( [Fig.llG]).

[0143] Figures 1 IA to 1 IG illustrate an example of operation.

[0144] In Figures 1 IA and 1 IB, the outlet orifice 15 is in fluidic communication with a second outlet 10. The multidirectional sequential valve 1 is opened in a second open position with the cleaning fluid flowing through the second outlet 10 for watering.

[0145] Then, when the cleaning fluid pressure falls below the threshold ([Fig. IIC]), the elastic element 21 pushes the indexing finger 24 of the piston 5 into the first helical portion of the first cam 16, causing the piston 5, and therefore the tube 4, to pivot simultaneously with the translation of the tube 4 (Figures I1C, I1D, I1E), until the indexing finger 24 enters the first longitudinal portion of the first cam 16 at the end of the first helical portion. The outlet orifice 15 is then in fluidic communication with the first outlet 9, the tube having pivoted by 180° ([Fig. I1E]).

[0146] Then, when the cleaning fluid pressure at inlet 6 is greater than or equal to the threshold ([Fig. 1 1F]), the cleaning fluid flows through the first outlet 9 for spraying. Simultaneously, the piston 5 is pushed by the cleaning fluid pressure along the first longitudinal portion of the first cam 16 until the indexing finger 24 enters the second helical portion of the first cam 16.

[0147] Then, when the cleaning fluid pressure falls below the threshold, ( [Fig. 1 IG]), the elastic element 21 pushes the piston 5 into the second helical portion of the first cam 16, causing the piston 5, and therefore the tube 4, to pivot 180° in the opposite direction of rotation, simultaneously with the translation of the tube 4 until the indexing finger 24 enters the second longitudinal portion of the first cam 16 at the end of the second helical portion. The outlet orifice 15 is then in fluidic communication with the second outlet 10 ([Fig. 1 1 A]) and the cycle can begin again.

[0148] In this embodiment, the rotation of the piston 5 takes place at the end of the watering when the pressure is released, which allows watering to begin as soon as the multidirectional sequential valve 1 is pressurized.

[0149] Although in the figures the piston 5 has an indexing finger 24 cooperating with a first cam 16 formed in the tubular body 2, it can also be envisaged that the indexing finger 24 is carried by the tubular body 2 and that the first cam 16 is formed in the piston 5.

[0150] The other features of this embodiment example are similar to those of the first embodiment examples.

[0151] Figures 12A to 12D are schematic views of another exemplary embodiment, in particular of the cooperation mechanism of the piston 5 and the tube 4.

[0152] In this embodiment, the piston 5 is not mobile in rotation and the tube 4 is not mobile in translation.

[0153] The piston 5 has, for example, a rod 25 sliding in a first axial end of the cylindrical body 2 to guide the translational movement of the piston 5. The rod 25 is, for example, through so as to allow the cleaning fluid to pass through entering the inlet 6.

[0154] The first cam 16 is carried by the tube 4, the piston 5 having an indexing finger, here two, cooperating with the first cam 16, the first cam 16 having sawtooth ramps regularly distributed on the periphery.

[0155] The cam profile has, for example, two saw teeth to rotate the piston 5 by a quarter turn between successive positions.

[0156] The tube 4 takes in turn a first open position ([Fig.12A]), a first closed position (figures 12B, 12C), a second open position ([Fig.12D]) and a second closed position due to the drop in the pressure of the cleaning fluid at the inlet 6 below a threshold, followed by an increase in the pressure of the cleaning fluid at the inlet 6 above said threshold.

[0157] Figures 12A to 12D illustrate an example of operation.

[0158] It is considered that on [Fig. 12A], the cleaning fluid flows through the first outlet 9 in fluidic communication with the outlet orifice 15.

[0159] When the cleaning fluid pressure falls below the threshold, ([Fig. 12B]), The elastic element 21 pushes back the piston 5, causing the tube 4 to pivot by a quarter turn. The outlet orifice 15 is then obstructed.

[0160] Then, when the pressure of the cleaning fluid at the inlet 6 is greater than or equal to the threshold ([Fig. 12C]), the piston 5 is pushed by the pressure of the cleaning fluid along the tube 4, the indexing fingers following the profile of the first cam 16 guiding the rotation of the tube 4 by a quarter turn. The outlet orifice 15 is then in fluidic communication with a second outlet 10 of the distributor 3 ([Fig. 12D]).

[0161] Then, when the cleaning fluid pressure falls below the threshold, the elastic element 21 pushes back the piston 5, causing the tube 4 to pivot a quarter turn. The outlet orifice 15 is then blocked.

[0162] Then, when the cleaning fluid pressure at inlet 6 is greater than or equal to the threshold, the piston 5 is pushed by the cleaning fluid pressure along the tube 4, the indexing fingers in the first cam 16 guiding the rotation of the tube 4 by a quarter turn ([Fig. 12A]). The outlet orifice 15 is then in fluidic communication with the first outlet 10 of the distributor 3 and the cycle can begin again.

[0163] Although in this example the first cam 16 is carried by the tube 4, the piston 5 having an indexing finger, it is also conceivable that the first cam 16 is carried by the piston 5 and that the indexing finger is carried by the tube 4.

[0164] The other features of this embodiment example are similar to those of the first embodiment examples.

[0165] Fig. 13 shows another example of a 100 projection system.

[0166] In this example, the projection system 100 comprises at least two multidirectional sequential valves 1, three in the illustrative example, and as many solenoid valves 104, one solenoid valve 104 being arranged upstream of a respective multidirectional sequential valve 1 in the direction of flow of the cleaning fluid. The solenoid valves 104 can be connected to one another.

[0167] It is thus possible to sequence the spraying of the cleaning fluid into groups of at least two spray devices 102 associated with a multidirectional sequential valve 1 and a solenoid valve 104, such that cleaning fluid is sprayed into each spray device 102 in each group in turn when the solenoid valve 104 upstream of the multidirectional sequential valve 1 is open. This allows for optimal cleaning fluid pressure for each spray device 102, since they are supplied one by one in turn. It also avoids unnecessarily activating all the spray devices 102 of the system 100 in each cycle if, for example, some glass surfaces require less cleaning, thereby reducing cleaning fluid consumption.The use of solenoid valves 104 and multidirectional sequential valves 1 allows for a reduction in weight and size by . report to a device using only solenoid valves.

Claims

Demands

1. Multidirectional sequential valve (1) for a vehicle cleaning fluid projection system (100), characterized in that the multidirectional sequential valve (1) comprises: - a tubular body (2) having an inlet (6), - a distributor (3) fixed to the tubular body (2), having at least a first and a second outlet (9, 10), - a tube (4) having at least one inlet orifice (14) communicating fluidly with the interior of the tubular body (2), passing through a bottom (8) of the tubular body (2) and having an outlet orifice (15) opening into the distributor (3), - a piston (5) movable in translation within the tubular body (2) along the tube (4), the piston (5) being actuated by the pressure force of the cleaning fluid exerted on the piston (5) against an elastic return of the piston (5),- a first cam (16) cooperating with the piston (5) to guide the movement of the tube (4) between - a first opening position in which at least one outlet orifice (15) of the tube (4) is in fluidic communication with the first outlet (9), and - a second opening position in which at least one outlet orifice (15) is in fluidic communication with the second outlet (10), the tube (4) alternately taking the first and second opening positions due to a drop in the pressure of the inlet cleaning fluid (6) below a threshold, followed by an increase in the pressure of the inlet cleaning fluid (6) above said threshold.

2. Multidirectional sequential valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the piston (5) is rotationally mobile in the tubular body (2), the piston (5) being rotationally fixed to the tube (4).

3. Multidirectional sequential valve (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said multidirectional sequential valve (1) has a second cam (17), said cams (16, 17) being carried by the tubular body (2), arranged opposite each other, the piston (5) being positioned alternately against the first cam (16) and against the second cam (17).

4. Multidirectional sequential valve (1) according to claim 3, ca- characterized in that the profiles of the cams (16, 17) have regularly distributed sawtooth ramps on the periphery, cooperating with complementary ramps of the piston (5).

5. Multidirectional sequential valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the piston (5) or the tube (4) has an indexing finger, the first cam (16) being formed in the other, the indexing finger cooperating with the first cam (16), the first cam (16) having sawtooth ramps regularly distributed on the periphery.

6. Multidirectional sequential valve (1) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the sawtooth ramps have four saw teeth for rotating the tube (4) by one-eighth of a turn or three saw teeth for rotating the tube (4) by one-sixth of a turn or two saw teeth for rotating the tube (4) by one-quarter of a turn.

7. Multidirectional sequential valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the piston (5) or the tubular body (2) has an indexing finger (24), the first cam (16) being provided in the other, the indexing finger (24) cooperating with the first cam (16), the first cam (16) having two longitudinal portions and two helical portions, the longitudinal portions being diametrically opposed and the helical portions being intersecting in their middle and joining the longitudinal portions at their ends.

8. Multidirectional sequential valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tube (4) has two outlet ports (15) provided in lateral faces opposite the tube (4) to allow an outlet port (15) to be in fluidic communication with the first outlet channel (9) for two opposite angular positions of the tube (4) and in fluidic communication with the second outlet channel (10) for two other opposite angular positions of the tube (4).

9. Multidirectional sequential valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the tube (4) has a single outlet port (15).

10. A vehicle cleaning fluid spraying system (100) comprising a reservoir (101), a pump (103), at least two spraying devices (102) characterized in that it comprises at least one multidirectional sequential valve (1) according to one of the re- previous demands, to control the distribution of a cleaning fluid to the at least two projection devices (102).

11. Projection system (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises at least two multidirectional sequential valves (1) and as many solenoid valves (104), a solenoid valve (104) being arranged upstream of a respective multidirectional sequential valve (1) in the direction of flow of the cleaning fluid.

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